Languages of Iran
languages of Iran can be classified as Old Iranian languages such as the language of Achaemanind and Avestan (spoken until 400 BC), Middle Iranian such as the language of Sassanid, Bactrian, and Parthian languages (spoken between 400 BC to 900 AD), and New Iranian which is Persian.
Persian also called Farsi is the official language of Iran. It is also the predominant language of literature, sciences, journalism, etc. However, there are a number of languages and dialects spoken all around Iran. These languages and dialects contain Indo-European, Altaic, and Afro-Asiatic. The languages mostly consist of Azerbaijani, Lori, Kurdish, Mazandarani, Gilaki, Balochi, and Arabic. More than half the population speaks a dialect of Persian which is under the Indo-Iranian category. Persian is the language of the state; therefore, non-Persians are also fluent in it.
Azerbaijani or Turkish is spoken by the Altaic family (about one-fourth of the population speak Turkish). Kurdish is spoken by Kurd people (about one-tenth of people speak this language). Lori is spoken by Lors and Bakhtyari people (they may seem distinct, however, they are closely related to Persian). Arabic is the native tongue spoken by the people lived in southern Iran. Since Arabic is related to the Persian religion, Islam, its words and expressions are used in daily conversations. Mazandarani and Gilaki are spoken in the north of Iran. Balochi is also spoken by the people who live in the southeast of the country.
Armenian are also a small group of people who live mostly in northwest Iran and Isfahan. They speak Armani.
